Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has firmly denied suggestions that government officials play any role in deciding which players are called up to represent Ghana’s senior national team.
The debate over player selection has resurfaced following the Black Stars’ exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Ghana progressed beyond the group stage for the first time since 2010 before being eliminated 1-0 by Colombia in the Round of 32.
Responding to the allegations during an interview with Joy News, Adams said the country’s football structures clearly outline the responsibilities of every stakeholder, insisting that selecting players is exclusively the responsibility of the head coach and his technical staff.
The minister emphasised that his office has no authority to interfere with football decisions and urged the public to understand the distinction between administrative oversight and technical duties.
“You have a duty to let them know that the work of a minister is not to select players,” he expressed.
Adams explained that the Ministry of Sports and Recreation focuses on shaping sports policy, supporting the growth of the sector, and working alongside the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on governance matters, including the recruitment of the Black Stars coach.
Once a coach is appointed, however, he stressed that decisions relating to squad selection, tactics and overall team management belong entirely to the technical bench.
“The work of a minister is to work with the FA to appoint a coach who has a responsibility to make sure he selects the players; that’s why he is paid. That’s why we have the FA, that’s why we have the coach.”
The Buem Member of Parliament argued that any attempt by politicians or other external figures to influence player call-ups would undermine the coach’s authority and compromise the professionalism of the national team setup.
According to Adams, meaningful accountability can only exist when coaches are given complete control over football matters and are judged based on the decisions they make.
“If we want the minister to select the players, then there should be no coach again. So the minister will select the players, and we don’t have to pay the coach to do that.”
Although Ghana ended a 16-year wait to reach the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup, their campaign concluded with defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32. Attention will now shift to preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as the Black Stars aim to build on their progress.
